HMA, Bert Fish ink letter of intent

The agreement marks the beginning of the due diligence process toward a definitive agreement, which the parties expect to reach by the end of 2013.

By SKYLER SWISHERskyler.swisher@news-jrnl.com

NEW SMYRNA BEACH — Bert Fish Medical Center signed a letter of intent Tuesday to enter into a long-term lease with Health Management Associates Inc. — another step forward in the 112-bed community hospital’s quest to merge with a larger provider. The agreement marks the beginning of the due diligence process toward a definitive agreement, which the parties expect to reach by the end of 2013 and to finalize at the beginning of 2014. “We’ve known for some time that in order to advance the future of medicine in our community, Bert Fish needed a long-term partner,” Joe Benedict, chairman of the Southeast Volusia Hospital District Board of Commissioners, said in a statement. “After a very thorough review process, we are excited to move forward with Health Management.” If the agreement is finalized, Bert Fish would join Health Management’s network in Florida, which includes 23 hospitals and a statewide clinical affiliation with Shands HealthCare. HMA, a for-profit hospital chain based in Naples, operates Wuesthoff Hospital System in Brevard County and Sebastian River Medical Center in Indian River County. It also is in the process of leasing Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala. HMA is in a period of transition itself. Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems announced it would purchase HMA in a $7.6 billion deal. That transaction is not expected to affect Bert Fish’s agreement with HMA, said Pete Lawson, the company’s executive vice president of development. This is Bert Fish’s second attempt at a merger. In 2010, a judge voided a merger with Florida Hospital on the grounds meetings were conducted in secret.

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